MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State Moorhead football will look to start fast following a bye week in an NSIC heavyweight bout with Northern State. The Dragons and Wolves battle on Saturday, October 25 beginning at 6 p.m. from Aberdeen, S.D.

Live video and stats will available at msumdragons.com. Fans can also listen to the game live on AM 1100/FM 92.3 with 'Big Game' James McCarty and Jace Denman on the call. 

Matchup History...The Dragons and Wolves did not face off during the 2024 season. The last meeting between the two schools came on September 30, 2023 where Moorhead dominated, winning 45-26 behind four passing scores from Jack Strand. The teams have split the last eight games overall in this long-standing series. However, Northern State has won nine of the last 15 games overall. The programs first met during the 1919 season where Alex Nemzek's Dragons defeated the then-Northern Normal and Industrial School, 7-0. 

The Quest For More...Senior quarterack Jack Strand continues to tally up yards, touchdowns and completions to add to his already impressive career totals. Against UMary on October 11, Strand passed for 253 yards, moving his career total to 11,908. At his current pace, Strand is set to become just the 21st player in NCAA Division II history to pass for 12,000 or more yards. Strand is within reach of 11,000 career pass yards in NSIC games with his total currently sitting at 10,881. Strand would be the fourth quarterback in league history to accrue 11,000 passing yards. The senior's 97 passing touchdowns in NSIC games is the fourth-highest mark in conference history. 

Gage Watch...With four games to go in the regular season, senior wide receiver Gage Florence sits at 361 career receptions. Florence made a team-high eight receptions against the University of Mary on October 11 while also scoring a touchdown in the victory. Heading into this week's contest against Northern State, Florence sits 25 receptions shy of the all-time NCAA Division II record held by St. Anselm's Justin Bernard (386). The Sawyer, N.D., native has played in just two career games against the Wolves, but has made 17 receptions in those contests. 

Defense Makes A Splash...In MSUM's 38-35 win over UMary, it was MSUM's defense who came up with what was potentially the contest's most crucial score. Sophomore Jack Johnson would force a Marauder fumble with the ball seemingly falling into the hands of Adam Kallenbach. The junior safety raced 40 yards for a touchdown, the first of his Dragon career. Johnson was disruptive all game for Moorhead, tallying six solo tackles as well as a pass breakup.

The Punisher Volume 2...Sophomore running back Tyson Brandt was again a key offensive weapon for the Dragons against UMary. Brandt totaled 90 yards on the ground as well as five receptions in the win. With his 93-yard showing against Minot State on October 4, Brandt is the first Dragon to accrue 90 or more rush yards in back-to-back games since 2019. Ty Jochim rushed for 101 yards against Augustana on October 19, 2019 and would follow it up with a 98-yard performance on October 26, 2019. 

Standing Tall...Through seven games in 2025, Moorhead offers up on of the top third-down defenses in the NSIC. The Dragons hold the fourth-best defensive third-down conversion rate (37.1) in the league. Of the 105 opponent third down attempts this season, MSUM has allowed just 39 conversions. 

Tacklin' Tate...Senior linebacker Tate Gustafson has been a one-man wrecking crew for the Dragon defense. Gustafson made 10 solo tackles against UMary. Of the senior's 62 tackles this season, 35 have been solo stops.

Steve Laqua is in his 15th season as MSUM's head football coach. 

Scouting The Opposition

Northern State
2024 Record: 6-5 (6-4 NSIC)
2025 Record: 5-2 (4-2 NSIC)
Nickname: Wolves
Head Coach: Mike Schmidt (6th Season)
Top Wolves
Offense: Wyatt Block, RB (106 carries, 727 yards, three touchdowns
Defense: Jake Adams, LB (93 total tackles, one interceptions, 3.5 tackles for loss)
Special Teams: Cooper Eisenbeisz, KR (13 returns, 30.8 YPR, 94-yard long, one touchdown)